Twisted in Ties (Loki x OC)

Chapter 98

(Music suggestion: Hearing - Sleeping At Last *Slowed*

Note: It would be best to play/listen to it in whatever way you can/want to when Tony begins to read Izetta's note. You will get there. I hope you enjoy the chapter. I recommend bringing some tissues or a pillow/stuffed animal or pet/animal friend if you have one.)

It was a nice day out. The sun was shining and all of life was still rejoicing. It seemed like the perfect day for a picnic or a walk in the park. The air was fresh and the breeze was gentle. Nobody would ever suspect a day like this to carry such sadness. 

Friends young and old came together that day, but for a very different reason. There was no picnic, nor a place enjoy a stroll together. They came to see a special part of themselves one last time. This was something none of them would forget. It was more than a goodbye, it was a promise. It was a promise to never look back, but only forward. After all...that's what she had always wanted to do, but never could.

Loki's POV

For a simple gathering, a lot of people sure did show up. Of course, it made sense. Even if they had never met, she'd touched so many lives. She had changed something. She had saved everyone she cared about, not just me. 

I had heard about the events that transpired in my absence. Thor had told me everything, including Romanoff's sacrifice, but Izetta had never been much of a character to accept defeat of any kind. Today was proof of that. The lives she had brought back were proof enough of just how powerful her heart was, even for those unknown to her. 

I joined my brother, Valkyrie, Korg, and Miek. The group of us stayed together. The other groups around us varied, but I knew most of them at least partly. I felt out of place here. It felt like I didn't belong. After all, most of the others around us had been an enemy of mine the last we met. Or, at least, they probably would have been if they had been there during my...misdeeds. 

The event hadn't begun yet. Her family was still inside along with close family friends. Thor had told me that I should've gone in, but I couldn't bring myself to do so. After all, I doubted Stark even knew of our true relations to one another. I wasn't sure if I would've been welcomed by the family. I was curious about the little girl I had learned was Izetta's adoptive sister. However, I assumed I would probably just scare her if she met me. Not many people really...liked me. The word I would use would be that people tolerated me.

As I silently looked around, I noticed that one group was coming over to us. I drifted back a little, somewhat disappearing behind my brother. I didn't want to speak to new people. I didn't feel like speaking much at all. There was nothing I had to say to anyone aside from who I was with, and that was only when they spoke to me first.

"Thor." The man in the lead greeted my brother. He held out his hand in return. 

"Quill." They shook hands and I listened as the group talked to my brother. Valkyrie, Korg, and Miek drifted a little ways away.

"Listen, uh...you knew Izetta pretty closely, right?" The man asked. My brother nodded.

"Yes, she was my best friend." The green lady walked up to him.

"...Whoever she was, I wish I could thank her for what she did. She never had to bring me back."

"Of course, Gamora. But...I'm sure she would be happy seeing everyone here. Even if you never truly met, Izetta was always one to consider any team of hers to be family. She never ran out of her caring and devoted nature."

"She was a hero." The robotic lady spoke up next. "She always will be." Thor nodded.

"I couldn't agree more." They headed away together and I silently stood beside my brother.